THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 51 



— rails for fencing, made of the young stocks deprived 

 of their outer bark, will last from 50 to 60 years. 



N. B. The Red Cedar, according to its natural 

 affinity, should be placed in this Group ; but as its 

 fruit is what is popularly called a berry, the present 

 mode of arrangement requires its transfer to the 

 Group having that kind of fruit. The Arbor Vit<i\ 

 also belonging here, may be found among the Shrubs. 



Cypress. (Taxodium distichum, Rich.) — This 

 tree, so well known under this name only, needs no 

 specific description, and I will only remark that it is 

 the only one in this group of trees that has not ever- 

 green leaves. Its range is along the lower region of 

 the Atlantic and Gulf States, from Delaware to Texas. 

 In this State it has about the same range as the White 

 Cedar and Long-leaf Pine, but is always confined to 

 swamps. It is remarkable for its large dimensions as 

 well as for its various uses. Its height with us is 

 from 60 to 100 feet, with a circumference above the 

 swollen base of 20 to 36 feet, though in the original 

 forests of the country it has still larger dimensions. 

 The wood has much strength and elasticity, is fine 

 grained, lighter and less resinous than that of the 

 Pines. Heat and moisture affect it much less than 

 most of our timbers, and it is therefore particularly 

 valuable in those parts of the State where both these 

 agents have peculiar force. The timber has been 

 much used in some places for the frame and wood- 

 work of houses, and is said to be twice as durable as 

 White Oak or Pine. The shingles made of it are of 



